False Allegations

Wrongful Accusations of Rape

May 14, 2007 Karen Stephenson

Men falsely accused of rape destroy reputations. False allegations occur at an alarming rate. There is no justice for the false accusers.

Rape has several meanings, the lesser known being to seize, take or carry by force; or an act of violation, abuse or plunder. Having that clarification, it can be stated that when men are falsely accused of rape, they become a victim of rape. Their reputation and life as they once knew it has been forcibly seized and emotionally, they have been abused and violated.

False Accusations Exist

In a study that span nine years, sociologist Eugene J. Kanin’s findings were that in the United States, 41% of rape allegations are false. Kanin discovered that most of the false accusers were motivated by a need for an alibi or seeking revenge. Kanin was once popular and highly praised by the feminist movement for his groundbreaking research on male sexual aggression. His studies on false rape accusations have received very little interest.

These findings are not exceptional. The U.S. Air Force studied over five hundred rape accusations in 1985. More than 130 of the accusers admitted, either just before they took a lie detector test or after they had failed it, that no rape occurred. A more in depth investigation by independent reviewers established that 60% of the original rape allegations were a sham.

Linda Fairstein is the head of the New York County District Attorney's Sex Crimes Unit. She states there are a concerning 4,000 reports of rape each year in Manhattan. Of these, about 2,000 did not happen.

In Canada there is little or no justice for falsely accused men. In a small town north of Toronto a woman gave York Region Police a blood stained pair of underwear stating that her ex-husband sexually assaulted their daughter. DNA evidence proved that the woman cut herself and put her blood on the garment. She was fined $25 for public mischief.

Craig Silverman, a former Colorado prosecutor known for his zealous prosecution of rapists during his career, says that false rape accusations occur with "scary frequency.”

The crime of making a false allegation is not exclusive to women. On April 24, 2007 TimesOnline reported that Aftab Ahmed, 44 of Bradford, England was cleared of a false allegation. A teenage girl accused the cab driver of rape in January 2006. Mr Ahmed stated, “The accusations have destroyed my family. It has impacted on myself, my wife and my children. To be accused of rape is the most serious crime in my religion of Islam.” Aftab Ahmed lost everything as a result. The adolescent girl was sentenced to only four months detention.

Women Are Victims Too

Men are not the only victims of women who make false allegations. Women who are the real victims of rape, are further victimized by those who make false accusations. Words and actions by a false accuser rob the real-life victims of rape of badly needed services. These women abuse police, prosecutors and victim group resources, taking time, money and resources away from those who truly need and deserve help.

The Need for Justice

Although legislative amendment is needed, it cannot immediately stop the frequency of false allegations of rape. Society needs strict laws to aid in the education process that no one has the right to make a false allegation.

Rape is an appalling crime. False accusations of rape and the lack of accountability should be just as an intolerable of a crime as physical rape itself.

The copyright of the article False Allegations in Abuse is owned by Karen Stephenson. Permission to republish False Allegations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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33 Comments

Comments

Sep 8, 2008 11:32 AM

Guest :

There should be probation or JAIL TIME or something on the false accuser's record! It makes people doubt the real victims and take away the city's services! It's a shame that women (some men) feel the need to do this awful act for whatever pathetic reason. It damages the falsely accused life forever!

Sep 8, 2008 11:42 PM

Guest :

False accusations are the ultimate act of rape. Rape victims get instant sympathy; defamed men get a lifetime of persecution, even when they have been cleared by the system.

Sep 10, 2008 8:54 PM

Guest :

Due to the seriousness of the false accusation, the one telling this lie should be sentenced to the same punishment as the "would be accused" and forced to register as a sex offender themselves.

Sep 16, 2008 4:48 PM

Guest :

My husband is being falsely accused as we speak. It has ruined our lives, we have lost everything,our home, he even lost his job. How many women get raped and talk on their cell phone during the time he was "raping" her. We need some justice! Our house, our children our names were plastered all over our newspapers and local news channels. They were camped out at our house. My husband was in jail with a $100,000 bond for 3 weeks. Now everyone feel s bad for this girl, who is a prostitute.... hmmmmmm.

Sep 19, 2008 12:12 AM

Guest :

I agree to the authors who have posted there comments. Let justice fit the crime. Jail and reparation to the victims. The loss is horrific to the victims, they lose their families respect, their dignity, their self worth, financial stability, professional honour and respect and the list goes on. As it is for the victims who have been victims of rape, consequences are devastating to them, as dark shadows are casted to their credibility and self worth amongst their peers, friends, family and also the professionals who handle these cases on a daily basis eg. police, courts, judges, lawyer etc etc. God bless the victims

Sep 19, 2008 7:06 AM

andrew burge :

I have a daughter now just 17,over the course of the last few years she has made various allegations aimed at myself and my wife,(we beat her,threw her downstairs,wife is an alcoholic etc)all proven unfounded,indeed no police involvement whatsoever,social service have obviousley been involved.to cut a very long story short,she has been sectioned,a week after she was sectioned (which i had to do as the oldest family member,she would not come home we did not want her on the streets etc)anyway a week after i was arrested on a rape and abuse charge,our house was ripped apart,various stuff taken for dna testeing etc.i have never either physically or sexually done anything to her in my whole life,the worse i have ever done is shout!.i feel sick,cant sleep,struggle to eat somedays just a wreck.why she has done this nobody knows,the doctors told us nothing,and i strongly believe one of her doctors,who had on many occasions said they could not pigeon hole her mental illness,needed answers to "close " his case.up untill the rape accusation,she had actually been in contact etc,been back to the house and we thought we were making some very slow progress.we acknowledge she has some sort of mental condition,she is now going to college(escorted whilst there and to and from the hospital)i am on police bail till oct 6th,and naturally i do worry,both our dna is all over the house,what if the dna people have a bad day(like we all do sometimes)put 2 and 2 togather and make 5 !.
She gets all the support (which we dont object to)we are left just to get on with it,doesnt seem correct to me.my wife has been a rock and my son who is just 16 does understand.but we just worry i fully expect the outcome to be in my favour as nothing has happened,but (even though she is my daughter)nothing will happen to her,as she has a mental illness,i do feel this to be wrong,i dont want her punnished but she must be made to realise what she has done to us,and the ammount of police time she has wasted,also we hear that in the past she has accused others of rape,no one will tell us whether this is true or not,im just the accused so i dont get any info or help,shes the accuser and seems to be getting every bit of support she wants,it all seems wrong to me.as i said its a very very long sad story,i could write a book on it.id like to here from anyone who has been or is in a similar situation.thanks for reading

Sep 20, 2008 3:09 PM

Guest :

This false alligation frenzy is just out of control mad crazy. The law has failed the real victim(the accused) and very little if not nothing is being done about it. It seems to me this is a serious enough problem that some one in washington d.c.(white house) ought to be addessing but there not at least not to my knowledge therefore nothing is happening to really curve this problem on a national scale.

Sep 25, 2008 6:52 PM

Guest :

False accusations of rape and sexual assault can destroy a man's life. I've seen it first-hand. I've experienced it first hand. I recently wrote up my story for Gender Male after seeing how many others have stories just like mine. I'd encourage everyone to help spread the word by helping writers like Karen and publishers like suite101. If you'd like to see the stories that inspired me to tell my story, I'd love to help spread the word for my fellow brothers.

Here's a list of other men and their stories:
http://creativehealthsource.com/abuse.html

Oct 27, 2008 10:17 AM

Guest :

My friend was falsely accused 1984. The report read the mother of the victim have reasons to believes my friend fondle her daughter. They had no evidence didn't try to get any evidence. My friend was young and didn't know how to handle this situation. Now he has to pay for it the rest of his life. How do you get it back and court or if the girl says it was a lie what are the chances.

Oct 27, 2008 11:21 AM

Guest :

I am fasely accussed of rape. There should be a much better way to deal with those who lie about this crime.

Nov 4, 2008 11:08 PM

Guest :

I also am having an issue with this. A few years back this happened to me and just recently i was told by the local police department when i went for a background check that there was an allegation of rape on my record. No case was ever brought against me, no charges filed, i never heard anything about this accept the female had accused me. Apparently her father brought her in and filed a "complaint report"
So i am wondering what I have to do to remove the complaint from my record. As stated above this is obviously very embarrassing and I need to resolve the issue before it further impacts my life. I really don't know who to turn to and I would like to get as much information as possible before i pay to speak with a lawyer.
any info helps

Nov 4, 2008 11:08 PM

Guest :

Dec 19, 2008 11:02 PM

Guest :

THERE SHOULD BE A WAY FOR FALSELY ACCUSED MEN TO GET ALL THE MONEY THEY SPENT ON LAWYERS BACK!

Jan 9, 2009 2:24 PM

Guest :

I have spent 70,000 dollars so far on a rape case that involved no violence and and a false accusation by the girl to protect the fact that her bf caught us together. The cops set my bail at 500,000 dollars. The DA is hell bent on getting registration and jail time. So this is the damage this crime can have on people and has on me, its ruining my life emotionally, physically, and mentally. Sad part is I didn't commit it and im fighting for my life for some bitch.

Another case i read thats on Youtube is a girl accusing 6 men of gang rapping her after kidnapping her. A LIFE SENTENCE IF CONVICTED!!!! She had made false accusations of rape before and this occurence and this was inadmissible in court due to bias of the "rape shield" laws in liberal California where women rule the world. These men were about to get sentenced when a video tape of the incident was found and produced to the court. In the video shes playing the role of director and tells each guy what to do with her, and where to stick it in. I know what your thinking, you got the be kidding right. No im not. The news story is on youtube. just type false rape. The men were on trial for the rest of their life knowing that they didnt commit this crime. I can relate. No probation no house arrest, LIFE in prison. Just think about that and put yourself in the shoes of someone who is going to spend the rest of his life in a jail, for something he didnt do. Then after the video they were acquitted and the girl was punished with a year in jail, of which she probably spend in the soft beds of the psychiatric clinic. Is this fair??? one question that lingers in my mind is that what if the tape was never found???? it sends a chill up my spine just thinking about it.

If anyone can help me with my case with anything? (i am nearly bankrupt, sold my car and everything) please put your contact info in the comment page and I will contact you. I am in los angeles.

Thank you all, and keep raising the awareness.

Jan 31, 2009 2:23 PM

Guest :

I was falsely accused of Rape two years ago and I was immediately put in jail, not read my rights. I didn't know why I was in Jail until 5 days later when they handed me the charges on paper and I went in front of the judge. I have been fighting this for two years. I have a passed polygraph given by the F.B.I. The girl said I raped her and ejaculated on her stomach and wiped it with the red towel. The DNA laboratory tested the towel and found nothing, so when the District Attorney found this information, they changed their story to "The girl was covering up her face with her hands so she couldn't really see what was happening. She thinks that's what happened and it felt like he came and she felt something warm on her stomach and something like a towel wiping her off. Her preliminary testimony says word for word that I came on her stomach and wiped it off with the red towel. The DNA came back negative. They did not even test her vaginal swabs. If someone claims rape then shouldn't they test her vaginal swabs. She also says I put four fingers inside of her. We have a medical expert who looked at her S.A.R.T. exam and says "not only was she not raped, but she previously had a late-term abortion". This girl has a history of mental illness and she has had an eating disorder for years. Her story has changed about four times and the DA is still prosecuting me. My trial will end this coming week and I'm facing 20 years in Jail for something I did not do. This all happened in Berkeley, California where they are very strict on these types of crimes. I wish I had a video of that whole day.

Feb 2, 2009 6:55 PM

Guest :

To the guest 01/31/09
I feel for you because your case sounds just like what we are going through with our son. He was invited over to a girl's house (he has known her since 5th grade and previously hooked up with her in the past) at 1:00 am. He took a taxi over there and when he went into her house there were three guys and three girls there drinking and partying. After a few minutes he had to use the restroom and she took him upstairs to her bathroom. One thing led to another and they ended up having consensual sex. No one heard anything and there were no marks, bruises scratches or anything to prove rape. The sart nurse did the same testimony that any irritation was consistent with someone who had had consensual sex. Her story also changed four different times. He was convicted in an hour and a half and we have been fighting this ever since. He is to be sentenced this month to 3 years in state prison for something he did not do. I guess a girl can lie and perjure herself and there are no consequences. I also am a mother of daughters. This girl makes a mockery of any girl who is truly raped.The whole reason for her story is that she did not want her boyfriend to find out that she cheated on him and a girl friend who is totally involved in the vagina monologues and had a reason to swoop in and be the feminist savior of a girl who has questionable morals. So my prayers are with you as well. The laws have got to be changed and witch hunt of innocent men has got to stop.

Feb 18, 2009 3:48 PM

Guest :

My boyfriend is in jail on this very same thing. We are going to appeal this, but he will be sentenced tomorrow to 100 months for a FALSE ACCUSATION. This girl has even done this to her own father's bestfriend. How can we prove she is lying? How can we stop girls fromdoing this to others!!

Mar 9, 2009 1:17 PM

Guest :

I would never believed the frequency of these life changing false allegations until it happen to my son. He went over to friend's house, watch movie, had a few drinks, some kissing took place, but that was it. The roommate was asleep in the next room with a common wall with living room. He walked home a few blocks away. Two days went by and the police showed up at his door. The charge: RAPE
No bruising, no physical evidence AT All!! The young woman, after months of the worst nightmare our family has gone through, decided not to return the DA's calls anymore. That was it - the case dropped. And now everyone is just suppose to go back to a normal life. My son will have this charge permanantly on his record if someone cares to do a background check. And I don't care who you are when you see Rape Charge on a man's record it changes the way you think about him. This has the potential to destroy a person's personal and professional life.
Something legally has to be done about these false accusers.

Apr 16, 2009 10:34 AM

myhuneyb :

my husband is in jail falsely accused of sexually assaulting by my daughters former best friend in order for her to win back the the love and attention of her family after she came out about her sexual preference my five yr old saw her dad put in to a police car now she's acting out cause she misses her daddy so much my oldest lost a friend that she said she loved like a big sister & i lost my daughters and husband & my husband he's lost everything his family friends job you name it he has nothing

Jun 14, 2009 3:34 AM

Guest :

"False accusations are the ultimate act of rape. Rape victims get instant sympathy; defamed men get a lifetime of persecution, even when they have been cleared by the system."

Well put. I was accused of sexual harassment and making nuisance phone calls to a girl who had a crush on me, but was upset with me for being shy. I know it is not as serious as rape, however the point you make about them getting instant sympathy is spot on. It never actually went to the police. However, when I suggested that we report the whole thing to the police, she said no, when I asked her why not her reply was "I don't know." She and her friends said that my suggestion of getting the police involved was another example of sexual harassment. I can't comment about other false accusers, but she was like the golden child, petite, pretty, elfin faced, she was the arch manipulator.
I had to live with years of being treated like an outcast. I know what it is like to go through just this, so being accused, and even convicted of rape when you are totally innocent must be hell on Earth. Surely the law should recognise this as an assault, or something, and deal with it.

I also saw on TV a while ago a case of a girl who had split up with her boyfriend, and she wanted to get him back. So she and her friend concocted a rape, specifically describing a man who worked with the second girl. Of course the second girl was the hero, she "heard" the description and identified the man. He was arrested, beaten up in police custody (was some years ago), and had his life destroyed. Even though he was cleared, he never got his job back, and his reputation was destroyed.
The girl admitted she had lied, and retracted, and what did she get? A warning. The man never received any compensation.
The program I saw featured the girl on the stage, telling her story, and asking for forgiveness, the man, out of sight, refused.

Jun 21, 2009 9:52 AM

Guest :

I am a wife who is going through the same ordeal, My husband is in jail right now (it's been 9 months) for false accusations.He is accused of raping both of his kids, one boy and one girl. The cops came in my house(I wasn't even home) and took things for DNA, We have been doing everything we can to prove he is innocent, but the lawyer said all they need is an accuser. It will be another 5-7 months before it even goes to trial, they said if he goes to trial and fights and loses he is looking at 16 years. The medical shows nothing happen to them. I am not the mother of these kids, they both have different mothers. I believe they set him up for failure.One of the mothers is very vindictive. She's put him in jail for things he didn't do before. Just this time, she nailed him good. It's destroyed our family, His daughter lived with us.And the son spent the summer here. I was here 98% of the time. I never saw anything wrong with the kids. The accusations of course say it happend when I wasn't home. They have taken his daughter away, and she is up for adoption now. The son is home with his mom. Everything was fine and fun while they were here. The weekend before this happend his son's mom called and asked us to take him for the weekend, and we said we had plans, so his son got on the phone and we said we had plans, he hung up on his dad for not taking him. This don't sound like a kid who's father was hurting him. I wish there were lawyers out there that would be willing to help my husband, and fight the state and DSS. There is so much more to this. He has a lawyer now, but this lawyers not really doing much for him as I can see. His bail is $50,000 that I don't have. We don't have alot of money.Is there any lawyer willing to help???

Jul 3, 2009 1:15 PM

Guest :

Isn't it great living in a "free" country?

Jul 13, 2009 9:03 AM

Guest :

"BOTTOM LINE!!!"- The Lies levied by these accusers are not just RUINING innocent peoples lives, they are TAKING the lives of these people and every bit of who they are.There isnt a day goes by,(thats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year), I feel like the person who lied and made a false accusation of rape on September 25, 20007 actually TOOK MY LIFE FROM ME!!! She STOLE MY LIFE and every good thing in it, that good people spend a life time developing.

"The loss is horrific to the victims, they lose their families respect, their dignity, their self worth, financial stability, professional honour and respect and the list goes on."

http://abuse.suite101.com/article.cfm/false_allegations#ixzz0L9kOkBTa& ;D
"

Jul 15, 2009 12:08 PM

Guest :

I was accused of rape of drugged victem from a girl i had consensual sex with. i work for the fire dept and during the whole time the investigation was open i had to turn in my badge and couldnt work. that lasted for months. not to mention my mother having to se me in an orange jumpsuit in chains. It caused me so much grief that i am still dealing with. The DMV pulled my ambulace drivers licence because of the arrest and i have to go to a hearing and hopfully get it back. If not i have to hire a lawyer for $4000 to possibly get a court order for the DMV to re-issue my licence. Thank God my captain was understanding and fought for me to still keep my job once the investigation closed but i will never be able to get that arrest off my record and the girl walked away with not even a slap on the wrist. Somthing needs to be done about this.

Aug 1, 2009 12:55 AM

Guest :

Every FALSE alarm has a fine for it.
Whether its on a GO train or wherever.
I am amazed that there is no such fine or penalty for people of falsely accuse others of committing a sever crime like rape. There HAS TO BE a system o law to prevent people (esp younger ones) from fooling around or making false accusations of rape..
as far as i know i think in Canada one is guilty till proven innocent in the cases of rape...
please comment

Sep 9, 2009 8:34 PM

Guest :

I'm going through this right now. A girl that I met at school was talking about how she wanted me and what not. We decided to sleep together yesterday and come to find out she has a boyfriend. She decided to press rape charges on me this morning and in this short time it's stressed me more than almost anything. I have text from her talking about how bad she wants me and hopefully having those will prove my innocence. False allegations is slander and can ruin a persons life. I plan on going to the military and I might not even be able to do that.

Sep 27, 2009 4:17 PM

Guest :

my brother was falsely accused by this girl she acted as if she was so drunk she couldnt remember anything but she remember where he worked and where his now wife worked. And he ended up with 6yrs their was no forced entry to the victim and and type of abuse he ended up losing his good job he left behind a wife and 10 month old child and he never be in trouble before was that far to him.

Oct 1, 2009 7:01 PM

Guest :

To whom it may concern,
I’m afraid you may be unaware of a great injustice currently happening in Deschutes County. Local prosecutor Jody Vaughan is currently pursuing false rape charges against a local man. Her tactics are less than ethical and has built “evidence” she knows to be based on lies.The evidence against the alleged “victim”, proving SHE is a repeat liar and crier of wolf is incredible and hard to overlook; unfortunately that is exactly what the Deschutes County District Attorney’s office is doing.
As a woman, a mother and a victim of rape and sexual assault, it is extremely important to me for a woman to feel safe to report sexual abuse of any kind. I know firsthand the personal power that is regained when looking an offender in the eye and sending them to prison. Regrettably I have also learned that it is far too common for women to hide behind the claim of rape in order to avoid taking personal responsibility for their own actions. The classic he said she said is almost always swayed to the woman’s side, requiring little proof on her end of the alleged events; leaving the accused to fight for their life with little help due to the Rape Shield Law. My concern is that Kevin is not going to receive a fair trial due to the protections this “victim” has on behalf of the DA’s office. This isn’t the first time she has cried rape falsely and without your help it certainly will not be her last. Please, take the time to follow the link and read the story of Kevin Driscoll. http://usobserver.com/archive/sept-09/driscoll-september.htm http://bendobserver.com The time is now for something to be done, before another innocent life is ruined. Kevin’s trial begins November 3rd, 2009. Please feel free to contact me for further information regarding this horrifying case and these ridiculous charges.

Nov 7, 2009 6:09 AM

Guest :

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE, UNCONDITIONALLY that anyone who makes a false accusation of sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape should be punishable under law, and it should go on their criminal record.

False accusation of sexual harassment, if left unpunished, becomes a weapon that can be used by any person against any one that they simply feel like destroying.

The rape of ones career and reputation is a massive crime.

In the United Kingdom, I am intent on making a website that clearly spells out an individuals rights when subjected to false allegations, and also their right to prosecute the false accuser, and also the people they can contact for support and legal advice.

To make sure that false allegations are prosecuted is a big project that will take many years. But IF 60% of accusations really are false, then this project will soon accumulate a very large body of support.

It is a worthy cause, and it's legal findings will be broadcast to every single company in the UK.

The worst kind of feminism is a feminism that is simply anti-masculine, and it has seeped into the legal and corporate systems; and it needs to be routed out.

Nov 25, 2009 6:40 AM

Guest :

I am a new comer to this travesty, but now fully engulfed as my son has been falsely accused. As I research this "witch hunt" mentality that prosecutors have concerning the accused, I wonder why so many of these prosecutors are women? Is the deck stacked?

Dec 1, 2009 5:48 AM

Guest :

Johan:I am in South Africa.
My fiance of the past two and a half years did this to me last Friday. She had me locked up on Friday to ensure that I will be out of circulation until Monday. She then phoned one of my clients, whom she has met, and asked him to channel the money he owes me into her account. I sit With this huge "thing" ahead of me and have no answers. Just imagine how big the shock really was, because I loved her and we did not have any problems.

Feb 7, 2010 6:44 PM

Guest :

My friend is being accused of this right now as I type. I can only feel it will get worse... I KNOW he didn't do it, but sadly that's not enough. This... Prostitute wanted sex out of him and he said NO. She was pissed and accused him of rape. What can we do now??? This can follow him for life. He's not a bad guy. Not at all. But he is always getting in trouble. Harmless fun. He's 13, why shouldn't he. But this is not harmless at all.

I feel I should add, I was molested as a child. I understand the feeling of terror sexually abused victims go through. It is not a pleasant one, I can tell you. I feel as though these 'Fakers' should be punished. Everytime a girl or woman calls rape, ever has doubts. This happens all the time, when, in fact, they are in desperate need of help.
We need to take a stand.

Feb 8, 2010 3:41 PM

Guest :

My first and only time with a woman was Christmas Party, 1999, senior year of high school. We planned it a month in advance, condom, hotel room, everything. A month after that night, she decides she wants to improve her reputation - so the guys who had slept with her in the past had now 'raped' her. Boom. She's now a poor victim instead of a slut, and me, the most timid person in school who has never even lifted a finger or made a threat against anyone, became an inhuman rapist.It neer went to the police, but it didn't have to. The damage was done. I have not been able to trust a woman since. The last 11 years have been nothing but completely loneliness and distrust of anyone female. I could never be with a woman again. They have all the power, and they know it. Meanwhile she got on with her life and cranked out a few kids with a couple of guys, I've heard. By taking advantage of that power she ruined my life. I feel like a freak. I've never been in a relationship since, just two dates with two guys. Yes, guys. A guy would never pull something like that.

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False Allegations

Wrongful Accusations of Rape

Women Are Victims Too

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